Following the meeting that came after Slovenia voiced its opposition to the terminal over environmental concerns, Prestigiacomo said that Italy had fully observed European law and international commitments when assessing the environmental impacts of the terminal in Aquilinia (Zavlje).
Prestigiacomo assessed that the documentation drawn up was appropriate and that reservations expressed by Slovenia had been observed. She believes there will be no need for Slovenia to turn to the European Court of Justice, since the talks will continue.
Slovenian Environment Minister Karl Erjavec on the other hand stressed that the fact that Italy is to send new documentation does not guarantee that Slovenia would not have additional remarks.
"We need to see in what way Slovenian remarks are being taken into account," Erjavec said, reiterating that the assessment of the environmental impact needs to be comprehensive and that Slovenia is determined to protect its interests.
He explained that there were also differences of opinion as to whether the documentation should include security aspects. Italy disagrees with Slovenia's view that it should.
Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar meanwhile recapped for the press the results of today's meetings of officials from Italy and Slovenia, which also dealt with other bilateral issues.
Zbogar said that he and his Italian colleague Frattini also touched on international issues, focusing on the Western Balkans and the participation of their countries in Afghanistan, as well as the situation in the EU following the confirmation of the Lisbon Treaty.
Frattini said today's talks were an indication that there was a consensus in place between the two countries and not divisions as he believes had been suggested by some.
Touching on the Western Balkans, Frattini repeated that a future needs to be secured for countries of the region and that the liberalisation of the visa system is of key importance here.
Zbogar added that successful talks had also been conducted today by representatives of the two countries' transport officials, who discussed the new Divaca-Triest railway link. The economic section of the meeting announced a strengthening of cooperation, which has been in decline.
While Zbogar and Frattini reportedly also touched on minority issues, representatives of the Slovenian minority expressed serious disappointment over Zbogar and Frattini failing to find time to meet with minority representatives as initially planed.
Zbogar told the press in response that great progress had already been achieved with the presence of the minorities today and that he and Frattini had devoted a lot of time to their problems.
Frattini added that Italy would do everything to protect the Slovenian minority. He announced that the EUR 4m envisaged in the state budget for the Slovenian minority for next year would be supplemented so as to match the EUR 5m for this year.
